In late 2009, Philipp Lahm was fined 25,000 Euros by Bayern. The reason was one which divided the Bayern contingent. Lahm criticized his club.
He is obviously not the first player to do so. However, in an interview fuelled by his emotions and desire to win major silverware, he criticized Bayern's transfer policy. He also criticized the lack of a fixed philosophy, according to ESPN.
"Top teams in the Champions League have first-class players in seven, eight positions -- we don't. Other clubs have a system, a philosophy, and buy the players accordingly. We don't. It's not enough to buy good players, one has to develop a team."
Bayern did not take to this kindly but they could not punish him in any other manner except to fine him heavily. Lahm's words had an impact, because, in May 2010, Bayern played their first UEFA Champions League Final in nine years. Three years and yet another Champions League Final appearance later, Bayern won the treble.
While plenty of small but important changes took place between 2010 and 2013 at Bayern, one change is often overlooked. Louis Van Gaal and his captain Mark Van Bommel were not getting along in 2011. Van Bommel left and Lahm became the new captain. He was already the captain of Germany, having taken over from Michael Ballack in the 2010 World Cup.
His abilities as a captain were questioned time and time again, as Bayern finished runners-up in three competitions in 2012, the most painful of all being the 2012 UEFA Champions League Final on home soil, in Lahm's own backyard. Lahm recently reflected on the defeat, a defeat he was held slightly culpable for as he failed to "bark" at his team mates as previous captains, such as Oliver Kahn and Stefan Effenberg, did:
"There were two possible outcomes after the final in 2012: either we fell apart as a team, or we grew even closer together. The second of these is what happened. This footballing tragedy and our bitter tears of grief released incredible inner strength."
He became the first captain of a treble winning German club side in Bayern. A year later, he became the first man to captain a unified Germany to World Cup glory. He was excellent in the World Cup Final. Despite his overall excellence, he has largely been ignored for individual awards down the years. This is perhaps because he is extremely consistent. He excels quietly in every match he plays. This is exactly what makes him an excellent captain.
Lahm tends to see the wider image; his love for his childhood club led him to criticize them. His words played a part in waking up a Bayern team which had become increasingly complacent. He placed his arm around Bastian Schweinsteiger following the 2012 Champions League Final. He has also shown up when he was needed the most.
A young and inexperienced Germany side opened the 2006 World Cup campaign. Lahm opened the scoring for the new generation. In the semifinals of Euro 2008, Germany were leading 2-1, when due to a small error from Lahm, they conceded the equalizer. Lahm decided he had to make up for his error. He scored the winning goal in the dying seconds to send his side to the final. Four years later, in the quarterfinal of the Euros, he scored Germany's opener against Greece.
He was Germany's only bright spot in a dire Euro 2004 campaign at the start of his international career, a career which has spanned 10 years and 113 caps. He has never collected a red card. This is a testament to Lahm's brilliant ability to time his tackles. Lahm has put in many sliding tackles without bringing down his opponent.
Until the previous season, Lahm had kept Cristiano Ronaldo in check in their many meetings for club and country. His lack of a red card is a testament to his temperament. Lahm rarely ever wears his heart on his sleeve. A simple humble smile is the most he gives away. He rarely shouts at team mates. He is there to settle disputes however and act as the captain if the need arises.
Also, his versatility is there for all to see. He spent most of his early days on the left side of defense before being switched to his more natural position, the right side. He has been hailed as one of the world's best full backs in the world. Today, he is genuinely regarded as the best.
His attacking abilities are second to none. He has run down the length of the pitch and squared the ball to many a striker including Miroslav Klose and Mario Gomez. His crosses have been met by the aforementioned strikers' heads many times as well. Pep Guardiola played him in midfield for Bayern last season, and yet, when moved back to right back in the quarterfinal against France during the World Cup, he slotted in seamlessly.
Lahm is a man of few but intelligent words; he criticized many coaches in his autobiography including Jürgen Klinsmann and Rudi Völler. Yet, he analyzed their decisions before doing so. The book saw him at the end of many a coach's ire but he remained true to his words.
He will leave behind huge shoes to fill. He has won every major honor in the game aside from the Confederations Cup and the Euros. He leads Bayern by example. He is irreplacable; Joachim Löw will consider himself lucky if he finds a replacement half as worthy as Lahm.
International Football loses one of its greatest players, a player who did not overstay his welcome and who clearly betrays an intelligence which is rare. He was a legend before he claimed the World Cup but now, he has set his name in stone in football history.
Finally, as always, everyone realizes it is pointless to ask Lahm to take back his words. This is what DFB President Wolfgang Niersbach had to say, according to ESPN:
"Philipp called me this morning and informed me personally of this step. During our conversation, I realised very quickly that it would have made no sense trying to talk him out of his decision."
"He was not only an exceptional player for the national team in these 10 years, but was always a role model. I have thanked him for everything that he has achieved for the DFB."
And we thank Lahm for years of excellence in a Germany shirt, for gracing the game and for playing it fairly and beautifully!
